League Cup battle of the bairns?Hello, good evening and welcome to NUFC Blog’s match banter for this evening’s League Cup encounter with the mighty Arsenal at St James’s Park.
Of course, a fair amount of the pre match speculation has revolved around how strong a sides the respective managers, Hughton and Wenger, will put out for this competition. With Newcastle facing a crucial local derby with the unwashed vagrants of Wearside, and of course, having to concentrate on Premiership survival above all else. Arsenal meanwhile will always have an eye on keeping their place in the top four “Champion’s League” places, with the League Cup sometimes becoming something of a sideshow for major teams and relegation battlers alike. However, it should not be forgotten that Arsenal have not won a major trophy since 2005, and with many of the other major teams already eliminated, Arsene Wenger may well be tempted to field a stronger side. A Wenger pre match interview, in whivh he was quite fulsome in his praise of Hughton’s Newcastle, suggests that he might. He said:(more…)
Ranger: Hoping for a place the neet!Chris Hughton has challenged his fringe players to step up and perform tonight as they prepare to face Arsenal in the last 16 of the Carling Cup.
The United boss wants the players to build on their feel good factor and add Arsenal to their list of League Cup victories.
Hughton looks set name a second string XI tonight against the Gunners, just like he did at Stamford Bridge when he named an entirely new XI from the side which beat Everton days before.
United’s boss told the Press Association:
“There is nothing that lifts and breeds confidence like winning football matches, and whether that’s the same team, whether that’s a completely different team or whether that’s a mixture, it’s a feeling that goes through the club.
“That would see us going into the Sunderland game certainly more confident.”
Hughton is expected to call on the young talent at his disposal again tomorrow with the likes of Shane Ferguson, Tamas Kadar, Haris Vuckic and Nile Ranger all pushing for starts. (more…)
Hughton: Which way will he turn tomorrow?Chris Hughton will begin the toughest week of his NUFC career tomorrow when his United side begin a home double against Arsenal in the Carling Cup before a derby day with Sunderland on Sunday.
Tomorrow night’s last 16 meeting with the Gunners was unexpected for Hughton and arguably a game he did not want his side to have after his second 11 edged Chelsea in a 4-3 thriller at Stamford Bridge.
But here we are facing a mid week game five days before his first derby as the United boss at home to Arsene Wenger’s side.
The big question however is what approach will the mild mannered Magpie boss take tomorrow? Will United again call upon the reserves of our limited squads with the likes of Nile Ranger and Peter Lovenkrands returning.
Or will he gamble against what is sure to be a young Arsenal side, after all If we can get past Arsenal that would leave only Manchester United left from last season’s top 6 assuming they get past struggling Wolves tonight. (more…)
Oliver: Risible buffoon.Writing for the People newspaper yeterday, Alan Oliver, who is renowned throughout the region for his completely innaccurate and malicious reporting about Newcastle United, and still banned from St James’s Park for spreading falsehoods about the club, was still persisting with the story that Chris Hughton is about to be sacked.
Despite Newcastle’s victory at West Ham which left them in the top half of the table, Oliver insists:
“CHRIS HUGHTON is fighting for his job at Newcastle, with Mike Ashley yet to start negotiations on a new contract.
“Toon boss Hughton’s deal runs out at the end of the season but owner Ashley is in no hurry to begin talks after Newcastle took just one point from three Premier League home games – against Blackpool, Stoke and Wigan.
“And despite impressive defeats of Aston Villa and Everton in the league, as well as a stunning win at Chelsea in the Carling Cup, it is the results at St James’ Park against fellow relegation candidates that have set the alarm bells ringing with the top brass.” (more…)
Highlights from today’s 2-1 triumph over West Ham. After much early pressure from the Hammers, they broke through with an early strike from West Ham assassin, Carlton Cole. However, after finally taking control of the game as West Ham continually lost possession, sweet revenge was eventually ours with a poacher’s strike from Kevin Nolan and one more bullet header from current housemate and ex Range Rover owner, Andy Carroll.
